This CD is Al's best yet!  I told him he sounded alot like Michael McDonald and if I didn't know better, I wouldn't know the difference.  I hope he skyrockets to the moon!  This man is blessed with talent!
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Likewise,  I have the utmost respect for what you do and for what you have created.  I am not one to crow about alot.   This may be because having heard so much over the years,  I would be the first to admit,  I am jaded.   I will dismiss anything that is less than truly outstanding as mediocre.   And so much in this genre is the same old song done by another performer.  Little of it is genuinely innovative as people by and large are afraid of taking risks. 
 
 What you have created here is a masterpiece of  modern story telling.   This opus is nothing less than a modern day urban Blues Opera.   As I listened to it this story unfolded.  Tell me that you composed these tracks and arranged these fourteen tracks with this idea of creating a story in mind.   It is so perfectly arranged, and the tracks fall in such perfect order,  it is hard for me to believe that this was not deliberate.  
 
I am not a playwright,  but feel one could do well in fleshing out this story you have created.  What I have done below is attempt to relate the story I got from listening to your CD by sketching out a possible storyline as it would pertain to each track.  I needed some names and as such named your ex- Leche (which incidentally tranlated means milk in Spanish) and your new flame Coffee.  Sorry. 
 
A storyline synopsis:   Women aren't the only victims of domestic abuse.  Daily men are victimized by the women in their lives.  These cases of domestic abuse go largely unreported. 
    In this story Al McDaniel plays the part of a night club entertainer who finds himself married to a woman who is abusive, controlling and unfaithful.   She is resentful and demeaning of Al's profession.  
     This sotry is a poignant portrayal of a man married to such a woman,  until he meets the woman of his dreams, someone who ultimately helps him in his career attain fame and notoriety.  
 
Track 1/ Scene 1/ Act 1.  Just Tryin' To Be Me.  As this story opens,  Al's wife Leche has flown into a rage, tearing up the house, throwing things at Al demeaning his profession,  demanding that he give up.   He sings this just as he leaves the house and enters the streets. 
 
Track 2/ Scene 2.  Blues In My Shoes.   Al is not scheduled to work.   However,  when he enters the club, many of his regulars,  surprised by his arrival,  call him to perform something for them  He sings and dances this number.
 
Track 3/ Coffee is present in the audience and taken by Al's performance,  she approaches management and asks for an introduction.   Management takes her to be a starstruck fan,  and sensing nor harm in doing so,  introduce her.   Her friends think it odd that she does this,  and so does his friends.  Al performs this number. 
 
Track 4.  A Shoutout.  Unaware of where Al is,  knowing that he was not scheduled to work.   his wife- Leche arrives at the club with a male friend.    She sees and Coffee talking at a table,  and flies into a rage.   She is subdued and restrained until the police arrive,  and is carted off to jail.   Al sings this number as if taunting his wife for the hell she has made of his life. 
 
Track 5.  2 Headed Monster.  At the club,  Al's friends ask what this was all about.  They have never known him to be anything but professional,  and never suspecting what he endured at home,  he tells them. 
 
Track 6.  For The DJ.  Recognizing that this scene has made Al uncomfortable,  the DJ starts up the music.  Al steers attention to the DJ and as the patrons of the bar start to dance,  Al and Coffee slip out of the club.
 
Track 7/Act 2/Scene 1. Taxi.  The relationship between Al and Coffee has developed,  maybe too quickly for Al. Trying to protect his feelings,  Al has insulated himself.  He breaks things off with Coffee and takes a taxi ride to clear his head and to sort things out.  
 
Track 8.  Scene 2. Hey Baby.  Recognizing he loves her,  Al returns to Coffee.  He asks he to slow things down.  
 
Track 9. Scene 3.  Hello, Forever.  He proposes to her.

Track 10.  What A Woman Wants.  He recognizes that he is prepared to give Coffee everything she wants.
 
Track 11/ Act 3/ Scene 1.  Don't Touch The Dog.  Al's wife has filed for divorce.  In court she is present with yet another male friend.  Al is prepared to give up everything he owns but pleads, " You can have my ex,  but don't touch the dog."
 
Track 12/ Scene 2.  Thrill is Gone.   As Al leaves the courthouse,  he passes his ex- and her male friend.   He sings,  "The thrill is gone." 
 
Track 13/Act 4/ Scene 1. Scufflin' Al's friends throw him a divorce party at the club.  
 
Track 14.   Finale.  Reggae Blues.   This song represents the perfect marriage of Reggae--C0ffee is Jamican--and the Blues--this is Al's background.  
 


I know I have taken liberties here,  describing this story as I heard it.  I do not personally know you,  nor your personal circumstances.   I do not mean to offend anyone in any way.   I have simply outlined for you what it is I experienced in listening to this CD.   
 
I will not be so presumptuous as to tell you how to market your music.   But I think you would have a real goldmine here if you would market it as a modern day urban Blues opera.   IN time,  you might consider finding a playwright to help you create a better story around this CD. 
 
Let me know what you think.  
Your Friend, 
Dave King
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This is the most brilliant concieved and most masterfully excuted Urban Blues Opera I have heard...
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"I love the tone, passion, fullness and richness in Al "Coffee" Mc Daniel's singing voice. His voice moves me as a listener.  It's not every day that I hear a really great voice like this on an album.  This talented musician knows how to carry a tune".

"The song, "Just Trying to Be Me" has a lot of passion and feeling in it, both lyrically and musically - the instrumentation is top-notch. I'd like to hear this song played live some time. I bet the audience goes crazy over this tune".  

"I really dig the song, "What a Woman Wants" - great songwriting. This tune is extremely hooky and radio friendly. It has the ingredients to be a hit! I love the theme, the rhythm, the vocal, guitar playing, the simplicity - everything! This tune really puts me in a great mood. I was ready to put on my dancing shoes to this track". 

"I'm a dog owner, so I can relate to the tune, "Don't Mess With My Dog". What a clever title and lyric. I think this could be a hit with all dog owners, the SPCA and other animal organizations - even with some animal foundations. Get it to them soon".

"You can never go wrong with the classic song, "The Thrill is Gone". Al "Coffee", your vocals and guitar playing sound amazing on this tune. It doesn't hurt to have the legendary songwriter, drummer, producer Narada Michael Walden on this tune with you. This could be on the radio right now - great work".

The tune, "Scruffling" is super cool. I love this sound. I couldn't sit still. Great playing! Your vocal tone sounds extremely rich and bluesy on this swinging song - just the kind of sound I like".
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